SPECULATE Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'speculate' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of speculate are cogitate , deliberate , reason , reflect , and think . While all these words mean "to use one's powers of conception, judgment, or inference," speculate implies reasoning about things theoretical or problematic. // speculated on the fate of the lost explorers

Q: When can 'cogitate' be used instead of 'speculate'?

In some situations, the words cogitate and speculate are roughly equivalent. However, cogitate implies deep or intent thinking. // cogitated on the mysteries of nature

Q: When would 'deliberate' be a good substitute for 'speculate'?

The synonyms deliberate and speculate are sometimes interchangeable, but deliberate suggests slow or careful reasoning before forming an opinion or reaching a conclusion or decision. // the jury deliberated for five hours

Q: Where would 'reason' be a reasonable alternative to 'speculate'?

Although the words reason and speculate have much in common, reason stresses consecutive logical thinking. // able to reason brilliantly in debate

Q: When might 'reflect' be a better fit than 'speculate'?

While the synonyms reflect and speculate are close in meaning, reflect suggests unhurried consideration of something recalled to the mind. // reflecting on fifty years of married life

Q: In what contexts can 'think' take the place of 'speculate'?

The meanings of think and speculate largely overlap; however, think is general and may apply to any mental activity, but used alone often suggests attainment of clear ideas or conclusions. // teaches students how to think

speculate

verb

ˈspe-kyə-ˌlāt

Definition of speculate next

as in to guess

to form an opinion from little or no evidence I speculate that someone has been using this cabin as a trysting place

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How is the word speculate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of speculate are cogitate, deliberate, reason, reflect, and think. While all these words mean "to use one's powers of conception, judgment, or inference," speculate implies reasoning about things theoretical or problematic.

speculated on the fate of the lost explorers

When can cogitate be used instead of speculate?

In some situations, the words cogitate and speculate are roughly equivalent. However, cogitate implies deep or intent thinking.

cogitated on the mysteries of nature

When would deliberate be a good substitute for speculate?

The synonyms deliberate and speculate are sometimes interchangeable, but deliberate suggests slow or careful reasoning before forming an opinion or reaching a conclusion or decision.

the jury deliberated for five hours

Where would reason be a reasonable alternative to speculate?

Although the words reason and speculate have much in common, reason stresses consecutive logical thinking.

able to reason brilliantly in debate

When might reflect be a better fit than speculate?

While the synonyms reflect and speculate are close in meaning, reflect suggests unhurried consideration of something recalled to the mind.

reflecting on fifty years of married life

In what contexts can think take the place of speculate?

The meanings of think and speculate largely overlap; however, think is general and may apply to any mental activity, but used alone often suggests attainment of clear ideas or conclusions.

teaches students how to think

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of speculate What to Know Cuomo hasn't made his candidacy official but is speculated to be a potential challenger for Adams, who is already facing several Democratic rivals in the primary. —

John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025 Trump has criticized former President Carter for a 1977 deal to transfer control of the canal, which was constructed by the U.S. Loge speculated that there may not soon be any real clarity on what Trump means by the expansion talk. —

Julia Mueller, The Hill, 12 Jan. 2025 In a recent episode of Tax Notes Talk, Tax Analysts Chief Operating Officer Jeremy Scott reviews the 2024 developments in U.S. tax legislation and speculates what may lie ahead in 2025. —

Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025 While pricing details for the D9 are yet to be announced, it's speculated to fall in the $20,000 to $30,000 range, similar to Tesla's Optimus. —

Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 11 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for speculate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for speculate

Verb

The game, where contestants guess the letters of a mystery word or phrase, has been part of the TV landscape ever since, surviving huge changes that have splintered the mass audience.

Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2025
Players have up to four chances to guess incorrectly before the game ends.

Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025